Mt. Alvernia is a multi-phase mixed-use redevelopment of a 24-acre historic campus in the Millvale Borough and Shaler Township, just north of Downtown Pittsburgh. Vacant since 2018, the campus was once home to the Sisters of St. Francis, who operated a chapel and an all-girls Catholic high school on the site. The property is currently being reimagined by Q Development as a multigenerational residential community.

Phase I includes adaptive reuse of the Mother House and a new purpose-built home for the Mount Alvernia Daycare and Learning Center, which is currently located on-site.

Future phases will add housing, amenities, and enhanced open space to bring new life into the community, all while preserving the architecture and historical elements of this “castle on the hill.”

• The Mother House features two original bells: “Francis” is located in the steeple tower, while “Anthony” is located along the second-floor landing of the stair tower.
• The building’s separate residential wings reflect traditional Catholic practices of separate living areas for novitiate and professed sisters.